The explosion happened near the Lidong Chemical Plant early
Friday local time, according to SCMP.

A fire and explosion occurred as workers were attempting to
repair a petroleum pipeline around 3 a.m., Xinhua
reports.

SCMP reported the Quingdao government as saying the oil
pipeline ruptured and caused an oil spill.

Weibosphere, a website highlighting Chinese social media trends,
reported social media users posting photos of bodies strewn
in the streets, along with extensive damage to cars and a
ruptured city street.

Quingdao, a major city in eastern China, has a
population of nearly 8 million people. The pipeline is owned
by Sinopec, China's largest oil refiner, according to Xinhua.